U.S. Congressman John Garamendi questions President Obama's endgame in Syria campaign
As the US-led airstrike campaign against ISIS begins in Syria, some in Washington are questioning the plan. "We need to know what the strategies are, what the cost is, how we're going to pay for it, the risks involved and what the end game is," Democratic Congressman John Garamendi tells As it Happens....
As the US-led airstrike campaign against ISIS begins in Syria, some in Washington are questioning the plan. "We need to know what the strategies are, what the cost is, how we're going to pay for it, the risks involved and what the end game is," Democratic Congressman John Garamendi tells As it Happens.
"We know that the entire Iraq war didn't turn out well. You got to think these things through."
Obama authorized the airstrikes yesterday. They were conducted with the support of a coalition of Arab countries. But the decision to give the campaign a green light without Congressional approval has irked both Democrats and Republicans in Washington..
"This is war, and Congress has the constitutional responsibility of declaring war," Congressman Garamendi tells Carol.
Congressman Garamendi has also expressed doubts about the ability of Iraqi forces to substitute for US boots on the ground. "More than half of the Iraqi army is not fit to fight."
"That's one of the reasons that I've consistently called for Congress to debate this issue."